AFT Local 420 supporting its members, SLPS investigation into hiring, spending practices
St. Louis Public Schools superintendent ousted
amid hiring, spending practices
By SHERI GASSAWAY
Assistant Editor
The American Federation of Teachers St. Louis Local 420, which represents teachers and other personnel in the St. Louis Public Schools District, is standing strong with its members amid uncertainties just weeks before the upcoming school year.
On July 25, the district’s Board of Education voted to put Superintendent Keisha Scarlett on temporary paid leave pending an investigation into the district’s hiring decisions and spending practices. Millicent Borishade, who served as Scarlett’s second-in-command, will serve as the interim superintendent.
The vote, which was narrowly split among the seven-member board, was approved by Board President Antionette “Toni” Cousins, Vice President Matt Davis, Secretary Donna Jones and member Tracy Hykes. Board members Emily Hubbard and Sadie Weiss voted “No,” while Natalie Vowell abstained.
Local 420 spokesperson Byron Clemens said the union is in support of the investigation and that the matter will not affect his members’ newly signed contracts or double-digit raises. He said the union has been busy preparing its members for the start pf the school year.
‘STUDENTS NO. 1 PRIORITY’
“We want to see the investigation clearly go through complete due process to its conclusion,” Clemens said. “But right now with the start of the school year, the education and safety of our students is our No. 1 priority. We’re professionals, and we’ll keep our focus on our mission, and we look forward to coming out of this on the other side.”
Specifically, the investigation will delve into the district’s general operating budget, which plunged from a surplus of $17 million to a projected deficit of $35 million under Scarlett’s yearlong tenure, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. It will also review hiring practices, including 20 new administrators and consultants that had prior connections to Scarlett.
News of Scarlett’s departure comes as families in the district are scrambling to learn about the district’s student transportation plan. The district’s bus vendor terminated its $26 million contract over the summer.
‘BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL CHILDCARE’
“Right now we are going to continue to stay focused on the school year, which we are excited about,” Clemens said. “Just this week we had a new teachers mentoring fair, which we have been doing for 11 years. And while we can’t fix the district’s transportation problems, we are currently in the process of negotiating with the district for before and after school childcare to make sure there are incentives for our teachers and paraprofessionals who stay after school.”
AFT St. Louis Local 420 calls for memorial honoring slain teacher
The American Federation of Teachers St. Louis Local 420 is calling for a tribute to honor slain teacher Jean Kuczka, who died protecting her students in the shooting at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School on Oct 24, 2022.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department released additional evidence, recordings, video and body cam footage surrounding the tragedy last week. Local 420 represents about 2,000 teachers and other personnel at St. Louis Public Schools (SLPS).
“As a union of professionals, we continue to respectfully mourn the loss of St. Louis Public School student Alexzandria Bell and our beloved union sister Jean Kuczka, both shot by an intruder,” said Local 420 spokesperson Byron Clemens. “Kuczka died that day defending her students standing in front of the shooter.
“We would suggest now would be an appropriate time for SLPS and the community in consultation with family members to honor Jean Kuczka with a city and state proclamation and with an appropriate permanent memorial and/or a scholarship fund for Health/Physical Education educators in Jean Kuczka’s name.”
‘RECOGNIZE HER COURAGE LOCALLY’
“Perhaps Oct. 24 could be a day of public safety day memorializing those who have passed due to gun violence and on-going organizing for prevention for the future. Jean posthumously received the Single Act of Heroism Award from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. We think it is time to recognize her courage locally.”
The union said that although it is painful to review the events of that day in the context of newly released information, it has a few takeaways.
“We must remember and honor those who died in the tragedy, but we must continue to be proactive in preparation and prevention regarding the future,” Clemens said. “The district in conjunction with the union took significant steps to meet our collective responsibility to protect the children and adults in the St. Louis Public Schools.”
IMPROVEMENTS
Clemens said the district used Prop S funding to secure windows, doors and enhance safety is a high priority. He said increases in salary to retain and recruit safety officers and union trades employees is critical, noting that safety officers alone saw an increase from $13 per hour to $23.81 per hour.
“In addition the union has conducted active shooter/first aid training,” Clemens said. “We have consistently advocated for a nurse, counselor and social worker at every site. Mental health initiatives are imperative and common-sense gun (especially ‘red flag’) laws are necessary.
Leave a Reply